Bobcats                                                                                 

Bobcats (Felis lynx) do live in Bear Valley Springs.  You don't often see them, but they're here.  In fact, bobcats live in all the Western states at altitudes below 8000 feet.  They prefer to live  in rocks, brush and dense vegetation and make their dens in rock crevices and hollow logs.  Their territories (small compared to those of mountain lions) vary with food supply, averaging 4 to 15 square miles.

Bobcats eat a varied diet, including rats, mice, rabbits, squirrels, carrion, and insects, so they rarely encounter food shortages.  Like mountain lions, bobcats use stealth in hunting their prey, often waiting for hours near a game trail for prey to come within their 10-foot springing range.

Visual acuity is one of the bobcat's strengths and they see well in darkness because their eyes have a special light reflector behind the retina.  Their ears aren't bad either and they use hearing for locating prey.  They are expert tree-climbers and swimmers and powerful fighters.  With any luck at all, a healthy bobcat can expect to live for 15 to 20 years.

Hard to believe, but the main enemy of the bobcat is humans.  People have been killing bobcats by hunting and trapping since 1730.  They have few real natural enemies and their main defenses include speedy escapes and tree-climbing.

Bob is most likely to be seen in remote, rugged country during early morning or late afternoon feeding times.  Because of their elusive nature and  caution around humans, however, they are rarely seen.  Bobcats avoid human contact as much as possible, but if you can share your land peacefully with a resident bobcat, it will help keep down rodent populations.

Here are some tips for living with these creatures:  1)  Do not feed the bobcat; 2)  Never leave pet food outside; 3)  Restrict use of birdseed.  Bobcats are attracted to the birds and rodents that use the feeder; 4)  If possible, eliminate outdoor sources of water.  Generally home owners cannot eliminate sources of water that attract bobcats, completely.  You might purchase a large water dish (as for a large dog), put it on the outside of your fence, and keep it filled with water; 5)  Trim and clear near ground level any shrubbery that provides cover for bobcats or prey; 6)  Actively discourage bobcats by making loud noises and throwing rocks to make them leave; 7)  Keep cats and small dogs indoors, allowing them outside only under strict supervision; 8)  Trapping and relocation of bobcats is not a recommended or viable alternative.  Wild animals are territorial and like species will simply take over the area vacated by the relocated or dead animal.